Water to Water Heat Pumps
Water to water heat pumps offer a highly efficient, low-carbon way to heat buildings by moving thermal energy between two water sources. They are specifically designed for demanding commercial settings. These systems excel in locations where a constant, stable water temperature is accessible from natural sources like rivers, lakes, or aquifers, or from engineered sources like closed-loop pipe networks.
Clade manufacture a wide range of water to water or ground to water heat pumps for use in applications such as: heat reclaim, mine water, ground water loops, district heating booster and cascade. We use three different refrigerants depending on the relative evaporating (input) and condensing (output) namely r744, r290 and r600a all of which are natural refrigerants. Each Clade water to water heat pump is individually tailored to suit the project.
What is a Water to Water Heat Pump?
A water to water heat pump extracts renewable heat from a water source and upgrades it to provide usable heating for buildings or processes. Unlike air-based systems, water to water heat pumps rely on consistently stable source temperatures, allowing for high efficiencies throughout the year. They are typically used in larger commercial or industrial settings and are well suited to district heating, process heating, and centralised plant rooms. Clade’s systems are designed to operate as core energy assets within integrated heating networks.
How Does a Water to Water Heat Pump Work?
Water to water heat pumps use a four-step vapor compression cycle for heating. First, heat is absorbed from a water source into a refrigerant. Second, a compressor increases the refrigerant’s pressure and temperature. Third, the hot gas releases heat to the building’s water system, condensing back to a liquid. Finally, an expansion valve lowers the pressure and temperature, restarting the cycle.
Benefits of Water to Water Heat Pumps
Consistently high efficiency: Water source temperatures remain stable throughout the year, enabling water to water heat pumps to deliver reliable performance and strong seasonal efficiency, even during peak winter demand.
Low-carbon heating at scale: By using renewable heat from water, these systems significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support long-term decarbonisation strategies across commercial and industrial estates.
Designed for continuous operation: Water to water heat pumps are well suited to applications with steady heat demand, providing dependable output for district heating, process loads, and centralised plant rooms.
Water to Water vs Air to Water Heat Pumps
Water to water heat pumps benefit from consistent source temperatures, which allows them to maintain high efficiency even during cold weather. Air to water systems are simpler to install but can experience performance drops in low ambient temperatures. While air source heat pumps suit many applications, water to water systems are often preferred for larger, heat-intensive projects where reliability, efficiency, and long-term operational performance are critical.
WHAT APPLICATIONS CAN WATER TO WATER HEAT PUMPS BE USED FOR?
Water to water heat pumps are typically deployed in larger, heat-intensive environments where a reliable water source is available. They are commonly used within district heating and communal heat networks, supplying low-carbon heat to mixed-use developments, campuses, and regeneration projects. The technology is also well suited to industrial and commercial buildings with high or continuous heat demand, including manufacturing facilities, hospitals, universities, leisure centres, and swimming pools. In infrastructure-led projects, rivers, lakes, aquifers, or closed-loop water systems can be used to support efficient, long-term heating solutions.
WATER TO WATER HEAT PUMP SERVICES
We deliver complete air to water heat pump solutions, from efficient design and manufacturing to expert installation and maintenance. As a UK leader in green heating, we provide ultra-low carbon, future-proof systems that reduce emissions across sectors, ensuring long-term, high-performance heating for businesses of all sizes.
CONTACT US
Speak with our team of experts and discuss your requirements. Complete this quick form and we will be in touch or contact us using:
Bristol & Bath Science Park
Dirac Crescent, Emersons Green
Bristol, BS16 7FR